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Homemaking

09/06/2012

Unbelievable where the time has gone. . . . Summer was good but not exactly what I had planned. There was much time spent painting in the studio-halleluyer for that! I'll be sharing what I made I haven't scanned them yet so it's slightly fuzzy pics for now).

Greg took on painting all of the bedrooms and he installed a new floor for our back porch. Oh it is so much better. The floor used to be covered with the grossest outdoor/indoor carpet you have ever seen or tried to walk across. I should have taken pictures of it. Now we need to paint the porch to our liking. Hmm what else? Doran has been making up rhyming words and poetry. Eden has been carting around her invisible friend, Ardold (this is the best spelling of the name I can muster). Helena has been dancing at ballet camp and is gearing up for her ballet classes and The Nutcracker. I am in disbelief that rehearsals start in three, count 'em, three weeks! Elijah has been building and programming his robot (it was expensive but so worth it; thanks for pitching in Mom!). That thing can really get going. It reminds me of those horror films when toys come alive and chase people in the dark.

So now it's time to adjust to a new studio, school and activity schedule, to put a few tomatoes by, start those Christmas projects and get back to my long-neglected knitting.

It's so good to be back in this space and I will be stopping by to visit you too.

07/02/2012

We are back to "normal"-well mostly. It feels good to be back in this space and starting my summer. I sure did miss everyone! Thanks for your understanding and sweet comments. I hope everyone is settling into summer and getting some relaxation. We are trying out new recipes, chores for the kiddos (it turns out Elijah likes mopping the floor), and taking advantage of opportunities to create-basic day to day stuff. I still envision a relaxing summer filled with knitting, Christmas gift-making, reading, and more time in my studio.

Speaking of art, I've been toying with new-to-me ideas and inspiration-thinking about color a lot. Here's my latest:

12/19/2011

We started Friday with the movie Million Dollar Duck. I do appreciate these old super-slow Disney movies, even if they are a bit sexist.

Saturday morning was spent cleaning. I finally made up a batch of wood cleaner solution from Make Your Place. I am so happy and proud of myself. This stuff works like a dream. Spots I couldn't get off my furniture with commercial cleaner (even the "healthy" kind) came off like a dream. I loved that it took no time to make up; cost pennies to concoct and didn't offend my olfactory system. My furniture looks so much better too. I never would have believed it.

Saturday afternoon found me looking all over for a white dance outfit for Helena. Thankfully she needed new tights and she will be wearing her leotard and wrap skirt in class and again for the Easter Vigil mass.

Regarding the dance: I am amazed at how much the girls can remember after only two rehearsals. Saturday is the big day with the orchestra and full choir. It promises to be very dramatic. I am hoping I won't be sitting in the pews crying, but I probably will. That seems to be how I roll after having children.

At rehearsal on Saturday, Helena and Elijah were just amazed that the priest wore "normal" clothes.

Sunday was nice an slow. Greg baked sugar cookies with the kiddos. They used the iced Christmas tree cookie and glace icing recipes from Christmas Cooking with Kids (our version has marshmallow snowpeople on the cover; I am not sure if the version pictured is the same as the one that we have). I made some lip balm using a recipe from SouleMama. Then Greg and the kids molded and baked the makings of this year's gingerbread house.

This reminds me of Jackson Pollock.

There was roast chicken with lemon and thyme from Apples for Jam. The house smelled so good between the cookies, gingerbread, beeswax and chicken.

Between all of that, I knit, and I am still knitting. It's a good thing I enjoy it. Now the kids are saying they want Grumpy, the knitted lump of coal). They'll have to wait to next year on that one.

10/11/2011

I am joining Amanda over at the habit of being for some long weekending.

This weekend was nice and long.

We kicked off the weekend with our usual Fish Friday meal and a fun viewing of George of the Jungle. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this movie. It is an intentionally over-the-top parody, and doesn't taking itself seriously. Thomas Haden Church is always fun to watch too. There was some potty humor which I could have done without. Of course, Greg and the kids got a kick out of it, and I have to admit that I chuckled.

I was able to jet to my studio on Saturday and quasi-rescue a painting. It's not done yet, but looks better than it did. You never know how these things are going to turn out. This one might call for some creative matting. We'll see. I started another tomato painting. I do love painting tomatoes. I love painting and I especially love tomatoes.

The children had time for pastry from an old-fashioned bakery. They constructed a new fairy house and left some Gorilla Munch out for the fairies. The squirrels appreciated that meal.

Sunday we went to mass where Fr. Tom blessed the kidlets' stuffed animals blessed. The blessing was in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis is one of my favorites. I actually chose his name for my "saint name" when I was confirmed so many years ago. The blessing of the stuffed animals is always pretty sweet and fun. Fr. Tom called them "keepers of secrets"-very sweet.

After mass, we headed off for some apple and pumpkin picking. The recent monsoons have done a lot of damage to the apples. There were mounds and mounds of apples on the ground.

I am going to try making some apple jelly. I need to find some cheesecloth quickly. The pumpkins are going to have to wait to be carved as it is wicked hot outside.

After some time at the orchard, it was time for soccer for Doran, tennis for Elijah and knitting for me. The cowl is coming along pretty well and the second leg of my legwarmers is moving along much faster than usual.

Monday was such a bonus. Greg and I had toyed with the idea of hitting the beach, but opted to stay home and take care of house business. Light switches were repaired, outlets replaced, sheetrock patched, and the garage roof is almost finished. Greg took off the old shingles and nailed on the tar paper. Adding the shingles will have to wait a day or two, but it's sealed now. Maybe we'll go to the beach next weekend.

I did laundry (of course) and helped the kids tie-dye some shirts. Well they were content to watch. They will add the jack o'lantern faces to them later. Then it was time to make out the week's breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. I am feeling pretty, pretty organized. I take it where I can find it.

Since Greg was on the roof, all of the kids and I went to the grocery store-something I never do if I can help it. Some packages of straws being knocked off the shelf reminded me of why I have this rule. Actually, it wasn't the kids' fault. I blame the three people blocking the aisle and it's intersection for that little mishap. It was no big deal though. I wasn't about to trade places with Greg on the roof. If he can be on the roof, I can definitely hit the air-conditioned grocery store with four young 'uns.

We finished up our weekend with some ricotta gnocchi for dinner. We were all pretty beat, well maybe not all of us. For some reason Helena, Elijah and Doran had loads of energy. Eden passed out in the couch pre-bath, and still in her clothes. Greg and I weren't too far behind.

09/26/2011

It's Monday so it's time for weekending with Amanda. Feel free to link up and share you weekend doings too.

It was supposed to rain all weekend, but it didn't.

It was the first weekend of autumn and we had planned to go to the fair at Hancock Shaker Village. It is much closer to us than the Common Ground Fair, but still pretty nice and low-key too. We went last year and had a wonderful time. However, it was supposed to rain- a lot.

Greg and I talked and decided it would be better to stay home and dry. We could have a slow weekend and get some work done on some neglected house projects, so home we stayed.

It didn't rain. It was super-duper humid, but no rain on Saturday. I had lunch and some laughs with some sweet friends. Then it was off to the studio to get some work done and do some art planning. That was wonderful and oh so quiet. It definitely helped me recover from a challenging week.

On Sunday, it was super-duper humid, but no rain. However, Sunday was nice and slow and unplugged. It's been unplugged but not very slow lately, so this was a treat.

Greg repaired and raised Elijah's window sill and trim. It was a long-overdue project. Now all we need to do is apply the joint compound and start painting. So far Elijah has picked some rather muted colors-oh my quiet, unassuming boy. I have to admit, I wanted him to pick something more jazzy since he is nearly always so quiet and 'meek'. It is his room though. After some initial excitement over his window repair, Elijah provided some parallel assistance on this project. Basically this means that he played with Legos while his Dad worked.

Seeing that it was the first weekend of Fall, I thought it would be good to bring out the seasonal decorations, including our Halloween stuff. Out came the glass turkeys and glass pumpkins, Disco Skull, mini-gravestones, the Beasties and other various bric a brac so I could survey what we have and where to put it.

I used to be a big old Halloween decorating curmudgeon; yeah I was like that. I didn't understand the brouhaha. I am still a bit low-key about it. However, having kiddoes and trying to live each season to its fullest has changed my perspective. The children absolutely love decorating for any and every holiday, no matter how minor. It's nice to relax and be carried into the simple joy of it all.

For the first time ever we have Halloween lights for the mantle. I love twinkly lights anyway, so this is a good excuse. Our decorations still have to be put in place, but we are on our way.

But back to our day-after a bit of rest and quiet time, it was off to tennis with Elijah. Doran has a cold so he stayed home from soccer. Even Eden got in a much-needed nap (thank heavens!). I was able to cast on my second leg of my legwarmers. Tennis time is awesome. I try to ignore the conversations and behaviour around me as I waited for Elijah. I also tried not to judge. Knitting definitely helped. I swear it's like some kind of cure-all.

We ended the day with a bonfire. I actually dared a mosquito to bite me. I figure it's time for a bug-eliminating frost.

Despite the disappointment of an unnecessarily cancelled trip, all is well. Now it's time to get centered for the week. I definitely need a list. I keep fighting off thoughts of costume prep for the kids amongst the other projects I need to tackle.

And there we have it, another weekend flying by at breakneck speed. Wow. I'll be back at this space on Wednesday for Yarn Along and I hope to 'see' you then.

09/19/2011

It's time for Weekending with Amanda at the habit of being. If you like, join in and share your weekend.

This was another one of those full weekends. Alas, another opportunity to practice appreciation, mindfulness, and patience.

I was super excited to have two of my pieces accepted for a local Artwalk festival. I met some different and generous artists. I hung out with some friends who were sweet enough to spend part of their Saturday at the festival. It's always fun looking at art with my friend Julie; there are always some interesting pieces to enjoy

My parents sent me a lovely flower arrangement-so sweet

Greg took all four kidlets (thanks for the delightful word Amanda) to Helena's dance class. That is a brave man. The children behave well, but I really have a difficult time with all of the energy and noise that gets bottled up in the teeny waiting area-from all of the adults mind you, not the children

After that, the whole family went back to Artwalk and made some tiles for a community art project. The tiles will be the border for a quilt by Ed Johnetta Miller. That will be sweet

Then we went on our separate ways, Greg and the kids to a birthday party and me to CT Pride to support a friend. That was a fun time

Then because everyone was so darn tired, there was Chinese food for dinner. Nobody was cooking anything. The kiddos rewatched Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves! Greg and I kept nodding out

Even with all of the activity and running about it was still a good and exciting Saturday

Sunday we didn't go nearly as many places, but it was still a full day-such is Fall (notice the attempt to adjust my 'tude)

The morning was slow. I went off on a search for more canning jars and lids. I have learned the hard way that a body can never have too many. I am trying to plan ahead for Christmas; those jars are great for Christmas bark and other goodies. Somehow I can never find them after September

I achieved my goal and managed to can five more pints of whole tomatoes for a total of nine. The smell of cooking tomatoes is just heavenly. We have done quite well considering the ill-timed rain we had at the beginning and end of the season. There are more tomatoes ripening around the house and a lot green ones on the vine still. Yes we have done well given the late blight and recent hurricane

Now we are eyeing our store of apples and pears-hmmm

Then late in the afternoon it was time for Elijah's tennis and Doran's soccer. I figure I can handle this schedule for a few more weeks; both sports end the week of Halloween. I like for the children to have as much free time as possible. However, they still want to participate in a few activities. I figure one activity each for the older children is not too much or too little-for now

We enjoyed grilled hamburgers and a bonfire for dinner and then 'poof'' the weekend was over.

09/15/2011

I fee like these bees-so much to do in a little bit of time. We had our first 7:45am choir rehearsal drop-off today. I am trying to really adjust my attitude, as well as find the path of least resistance so I won't be dreading Thursdays. Already, the kids aren't thrilled with the idea of arriving at school that early- well, Doran is.

To top it off, last night a little had a nightmare so you know that meant interrupted sleep. Regardless the day moves on. Getting up at 5:30am is looking more and more necessary lately. That is scary thought for a night owl like me.

Today I'll do what I can from the list. I still have to figure out this canning thing, find some art smocks, find another birthday present for another birthday party, fit in some yoga, reading and hopefully painting. I also can't forget to take care of the youngest, and make some sort of food for dinner.

09/06/2011

Boy, it almost feels like forever since I have posted anything, but of course it really hasn't been that long. The kiddos had two days of school last week and Eden and I had two days of relative quiet and calm. Even though it happens frequently, I am always amazed how taking one, two or three children out of the mix, changes the dynamic in the house. But on to weekending with Amanda.

We had a nice long weekend:

We took a trip to Boston to see my folks, my cousin and my great aunt. I made some peach cobbler for the occassion. I was so happy Aunt Margaret liked it and took some back home with her. My aunt has been ill off and on so it was wonderful to visit with her

Sunday, we searched for a bike rack

We found a bike rack

Then we searched for a bike for me

We didn't find a bike for me. Bikes can be pretty expensive it seems

I made a countermove against the local roaming cat. You see, I placed some Irene-strewn twigs in one of my raised beds to dissuade him/her from using it as its own deluxe litter box. The nerve of that cat . . . .

I started reading The Backyard Homestead. I am all about doing as much as I can for myself and my family these days (of course without going crazy and using up all of my time). Greg is in doubt, but I am convinced we will produce a sizeable amount of our own produce some day

I worked some more on my Menu Index. I am so excited because I think it might actually work to keep my nerves in check at dinner time

Greg attached the bike rack hitch to the car. Of course we had to make a trip to Harbor Freight to find some obscure tool. I haven't heard so much forgotten 70's Camaro rock in a really long time

Helena sewed a pillow for the squirrels she and Elijah are trying to catch. She thought the squirrel needed a pillow in order to have a good night's rest

I found a store where one can buy peacock feather earrings

We did some basement cleaning

We canned some tomatoes. One lid failed but the others were fine. Luckily I can still freeze and use that bad boy. I have no idea how frozen tomatoes might taste, so I will use it for a future soup

Finally on Sunday night, we had a bonfire and s'mores. I refuse to let summer go; I don't care if five out of the seven people in my house are going to school. So until September 23rd, it's still summer at our house

How was your weekend?

PS: If the back-to-school busyness is harshing your summer mellow like it is mine, then I think I may have some silliness and fun to make you forget about all of those back-to-school forms you still need to fill out-like yesterday. Here's a link to Mr. Cosby. He definitely makes the absurd things of life even funnier.

05/04/2011

Today is Wednesday and I am joining Ginny and a host of others for the weekly Yarn Along when we share what we have been creating and reading. Please join in if you are so inclined.

I was thinking I would be done with Elijah's hat by today's Yarn Along, but no dice. I am sooo very close though. I don't want to jinx things, but I am hoping to bind off the elf hat this week. As it seems to have been for a lot of folks, this week has been chaotic. Why is it that May is becoming like December, and not in a good, relaxing way either? I have decided that we as a society try to jam to much into this month with nobody putting on the brakes. Thankfully, the First Grade Play has been moved from May to June this year. I don't know what sparked the change, but I am eternally grateful. They also have a special arrangement so parents of twins will be able to see both plays. I am so thankful for that too-awesome!

Where am I going with this besides explaining the lack of knitting this week? Well, things are so busy around here that I dove back into Sink Reflections by The FlyLady. There is a lot going on around here on a normal day with all kinds of tasks and interruptions. Then you add May. I realized I was in some serious need for a written routine. It can't be denied. I don't do everything The FlyLady recommends, but even following a quarter of her advice has improved things already. She has much wisdom when it comes to self-care as well as the care of the home and family. I started writing out and following my routines and things already feel calmer even if they aren't in reality. That's half of the "battle" anyway-one's perspective and feelings about a situation or challenge.

In addition to Sink Reflections, I am also reading Three Tales of My Father's Dragon with the kiddos. It is a charming and fast-paced book. I am also delving into a few painting books. Since I am trying to paint more (and I have never been to art school), I am using this as one of my painting teachers. I love nothing more than using and capturing light and intense color in my watercolors. It ain't easy and this book provides a start for my study. Speaking of art, Doran and I read Come Look With Me: Discovering African American Art for Children. I love the way this book series approaches art. There were a lot of cool artists in the book that I had never encountered-pretty amazing.

Well not everyone wants to read right now in my house. This was Eden's response when I asked what she wanted to read.

04/07/2011

Nope, not real bunnies. Since it's Spring and almost Easter, it's bunnies on the brains in our house. Mama cannot be convinced to bring a real bunny or even a hamster into our digs. After a few complaints, the children got to thinking and breaking. You see I finally pulled out some of our Easter decorations, some ceramic bunnies, nothing really fancy. Helena broke one not five minutes after I put it out. She was pretty upset. I don't know if it was exhaustion or maturation, but I didn't think much of it.

However, Helena was convinced we could go buy another one. Well, we had a talk about how the first thing we do is take care of the things we have. We then discussed that we just don't automatically go out and buy new stuff just because something was broken, and that we try to be mindful about what we bring into the house. Then I told her that the store probably no longer had that particular bunny decoration anymore anyway. I don't know how much of the "conversation" she absorbed, but she felt really terrible about the broken decoration and really wanted it replaced.

Then, of course, she had an idea. She would make a new bunny. Helena sewed up a nice little bunny out of fuchsia felt. I would show it to you, but she has been playing with it and I have no idea where it went.

Seeing these dramatic developments, Elijah decided he wanted to make some bunnies too. At first there were tears and frustration. He cut without first making a pattern or planning his design. Then he complained he didn't have enough time to finish before dinner. I told him that next time, he might choose to work on his creations rather than watch that half-hour of television. He thought about that one for a moment and agreed. I then gave him some sturdy paper so he could draw his pattern. He managed to cut it out before dinner.

After dinner he whipped the bunny together. It had a cute basket and eggs which he promptly gave to his sister and well you know. Then he decided to make a backpack instead of using the missing basket. I think he preferred the backpack to the basket. Helena was busy sewing up a felt egg (again this is somewhere in the house). The egg had hair too. Maybe we'll find it.

I need to photograph these things as soon as they are made because poof! they are gone in a flash.

This is Elijah's bunny. He thought it would look nice in the basket. I had to rescue it for a photo. Between the time he made it and the time I got this shot, he had played with it so much that the backpack ripped a bit. He then put it back on the bunny, but on the bunny's front instead of it's back. It's the 80's once again. ;-) Every mother loves what her child makes, but I think it's neat he made a removable backpack.

I think it's time for me to get in on the fun of making. What are you doing, making or wanting to do to prepare for Spring and all of the season's holidays and celebrations?